• EU finds loopholes in amendments to PTA
• Sri Lanka has taken steps in the recent times to reduce invoking the provisions of the PTA

By Kelum Bandara

Sri Lanka will evolve a fully-fledged counter terrorism law repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA), and the amendments to it presently before the country are a temporary arrangement to address the most immediate concerns, a Minister said.  European Union (EU), during the Joint Commission meeting with Sri Lanka welcomed the submission by the Sri Lankan Government to amend the PTA.    

According to the joint statement issued after the meeting, the EU noted that important elements had not been included in the Amendment Bill gazetted.   

“Sri Lanka took note of the views expressed by the EU to take further steps to make the PTA fully compliant with international norms,” the statement said.    Asked for a comment on the situation, Justice Minister Ali Sabry said the consultative process is still in progress to introduce a new law in place of the PTA. He said a new of legislation had been worked out to the present PTA as a temporary measure to address some of the most immediate concerns. “We will work out a fresh piece of legislation in the long run,” he said. Sri Lanka has taken steps in the recent times to reduce invoking the provisions of the PTA. Lawyer Hijaaz Hizbullah, who was detained under the PTA in connection with the Easter Sunday attack, was bailed out recently.